Sunday, June 28, 2015

“Could Have Been Me” by The Struts – It Has Gone Viral

On Monday, The New York Times reported “Spotify's Top 10 Most Viral Tracks” for the previous seven-day period. At number one in the United States was The Struts’ “Could Have Been Me.” The formula for measuring viralocity is based on the number of people who shared a song divided by the number who listened to it via Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter and Spotify. We’re not ready to agree with the approach, but we agree that the results are interesting. The full list is:

1. The Struts, “Could Have Been Me” (Virgin EMI Records)

2. Dropout, “Slowly” (Atlantic Recording Corporation)

3. Daye Jack, “Save My Soul” (Warner Bros Records)

4. Twisted Measure, “Chandelier” (Twisted Measure)

5. The Weeknd, “Can’t Feel My Face” (Republic Records)

6. Ji-min, Iron, “Puss (Prod. by Rhymer)” (CJ E&M;)

7. Boh Doran, “White Knuckles” (Big Stuff Records)

8. Vicktor Taiwò, “Feathers & Wax” (Yebo Music)

9. AIR BAG ONE, “1992” (Ruben Nation)

10. The Internet, “Special Affair” (Odd Future)

“Could Have Been Me” is an anthem. The song has been around since 2013, but is experiencing a reintroduction to the Indie world. It has a Freddie Mercury flavor to it at times, but The Struts are not Queen wannabes. This quartet from Derby has a sound it can call its own. The members are Luke Spiller (lead vocals), Addo Slack (guitar, vocals), Jed Elliott (bass, vocals), and Gethin Davies (drums).

What’s to like about “Could Have Been Me?” Our favorite aspects are the message of the song (the lyrics are below) and choir that enters around 2:08.